Parking Brake Help!

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Dec 31, 2007 | 09:34 AM

SRREAL

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 29

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From: Northern VA

Parking Brake Help!

Thanks to this forum and the fine members that post how to's here, I have begun to do some of the work on my Vette on myself. Well, all was going well on my brake job until I made a rookie mistake. I changed the rotors and pads on the front without a hitch ( I was so proud of myself). When I got to the back, my rear rotors wouldn't come off. So I took my BMFH and whacked and whacked and whacked until they fell off.

That's when the problem occurred. My parking brakes fell off with the rotors.

I'm really good because it happened on both sides. I then had an epiphany and realized that I had not released the parking brake prior to trying to remove them. My question is can anyone of my fine brethren tell me how to get them back on and what tools I may need to accomplish this.

Dec 31, 2007 | 11:16 AM

0Doug@MorosoPerformance

Former Vendor

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 718

Likes: 1

From: Riviera Beach FL

Assuming nothing is bent or broken it is not hard.

Fist release the parking brake.

Adjust the parking brake nut down, with the slots at each end facing front to back (parallel to the backing plate)

Grab the shoe and while pulling it apart to make the gap between the ends wider slip the shoe into the slots.

Install the parking brake retaining spring. It sort of looks like the letter M. The two ends and the M shaped middle fit into the the grove on the back side of the brake shoe. On the backing plate you will see two tabs. The retaining spring locks under these tabs. I believe there are two indents on the retaining spring that correlates to the tabs on the backing plate.

I then adjust the parking brake out until there is a little resistance felt when sliding the roter on over the parking brake.

I hope this helps, good luck.

Dec 31, 2007 | 11:34 AM

SRREAL

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 29

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From: Northern VA

Thanks Doug! I will give that a try. Your help is much appreciated!

Dec 31, 2007 | 11:51 AM

ajg1915

Race Director

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 15,960

Likes: 21

From: West Norriton PA

St. Jude Donor '08

Quote:

Originally Posted by SRREAL

Thanks Doug! I will give that a try. Your help is much appreciated!

Hopefully you didn't damage the brake shoes. The long springs that hold the shoes in place are a PITA to get back on. Just take your time and set the adjusters all the way in and then slowly work them out using the star adjuster.

Dec 31, 2007 | 12:00 PM

madmatt9471

Team Owner

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 21,473

Likes: 356

From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----

It happens!

Don't kill yourself!

You'll fix it! It's not hard just follow the instructions above!

Thanks,Matt

Dec 31, 2007 | 12:02 PM

bighank

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 2,332

Likes: 31

From: Silver Spring MD

That spring is a B***H

I took 2 days to get the spring back on. I finally found a spring hook (a special tool for installing springs) and the only way I could hook the spring over the second catch (2 projections on the backing plate and as I remember one on the shoe itself) was THRU the EXTRA HOLE in the wheel hub which I believe is there for just that purpose. You should have the PB Lever in the FULL DOWN or released position and then REMOVE the cables from the pawls on the rear brake assembly BEFORE removing the rear drums. Adjust the starwheels so that the drum JUST TOUCHES the PB brake shoe. Mine didn't work for 5 years but now it will STOP the car doing 30 MPH or better. Don't forget to replace the cables BEFORE you try using the PB lever.
Have fun getting the spring on and have a case of alcoholic beverage there to celebrate

BIGHANK

PS my post on how to do this as well as many others are here in the archives. Look for them for additional details.

Dec 31, 2007 | 01:46 PM

SRREAL

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 29

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From: Northern VA

Thanks for everyones responses!

Big Hank, where did you get the spring tool that you used?

Jan 3, 2008 | 06:11 PM

bighank

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 2,332

Likes: 31

From: Silver Spring MD

SPRING HOOK or similar tool

What you need is a thin piece of metal which is bent enough to grab the spring and maneuver it in place. I used to use spring hooks when had to install and remove them on computer periphels. I finally found what I needed at Harbor Freight. They had several sets of from 2 to 5 or 6 spring hooks with varying bends at the ends. You want something which has almost a u shaped hook which you can maueuver around the spring and then pull over the place it needs to go to stay in place. I don't remember WHICH hook I used but do remember going thru the extra hole in the rear hub when I was finally sucessful. I tried Sears and took their tools back as they were too large for the job. Dental tools or probes might also be useful. Sometimes you can hook the spring in a few tries and other times it takes some practise and even quitting and having a rest as your muscles sometimes get so tight you can't do what your mind is telling you to do.

A few bears AFTER the job might be useful too.